Latest news at Ashmount School......

• Ashmount named as finalists in Leicestershire Live Education Awards 2019

  Fri 13 Dec 2019

  We are pleased to announce that Ashmount School was named as second place finalists in the 'Healthy Schools' award in the Leicestershire Live Education Awards held last night at the King Power Stadium.   

   

  The aim of the award is to recognise a project, individual, class or whole school who make it a priority to lead a healthy lifestyle. This could be by encouraging exercise, or teaching pupils about eating healthy foods. This category also includes schools putting in extra work to make the mental health of their students a priority. 

   

  Ashmount was recognised for the wide range of sports, PE and swimming opportunities on offer to our students. 

   

  The majority of our students have always accessed in-school swimming sessions at least once a week, in addition to a range of PE and sports activities and physiotherapy programmes throughout the school week. However, in 2018/19, we implemented a new swimming programme across our whole school which resulted in almost all pupils taking part in Amateur Swimming Association (ASA) accredited programmes. In 2018/19, all pupils received their first award, swimming certificate and badge. In July 2019, our PE and sports coordinator Aimee Merison organised a swimming awards event for our students, their parents and carers, staff and governors, to celebrate their children’s swimming achievements. T

   

  In July 2019, Ashmount was awarded the Youth Sports Trust Gold Award, and the School Games Gold Mark for the fourth year in a row.

   

  During 2018/19, the school has worked with Leicester City Football Club to pilot their English All Stars Programme for children and young people with special educational needs. This has resulted in our pupils being provided with access to weekly lunchtime and after school multi-sports clubs and a weekly football tournament led by Leicester City coaches.

   

  During 2018/19, students have also been given the opportunity to take part in a range of additional sports and PE activities, including: dance performances at The Curve and Loughborough Town Hall; and a 10 week programme of BMX sessions. 

• Ashmount teacher recognised for outstanding contribution to school sport

  Tue 03 Dec 2019

  We are delighted to announce that Ashmount's Sports and PE Subject Leader Aimee Merison has been shortlisted as one of three finalists in the 'Outstanding Physical Activity, Sport and School Sport' award in this year's Charnwood Sports Awards. 

   

  The majority of our students have always accessed in-school swimming sessions at least once a week, in addition to a range of PE and sports activities and physiotherapy programmes throughout the school week.

   

  However, in 2018/19, our Class Teacher and PE Coordinator Aimee Merison implemented a new swimming programme across our whole school which resulted in almost all pupils taking part in Amateur Swimming Association (ASA) accredited programmes.

   

  In 2018/19, Aimee personally ensured that all pupils received an award, and the school agreed to fund each pupil’s first swimming certificate and badge.

   

  In July 2019, Aimee organised a swimming awards event for our students, their parents and carers, staff and governors, to celebrate their children’s swimming achievements. The feedback from those who attended the event was overwhelmingly positive.

   

  In July 2019, Aimee led the school in being awarded the Youth Sports Trust Gold Award, and the School Games Gold Mark for the fourth year in a row.

   

  During 2018/19, Aimee has worked with Leicester City Football Club to pilot their English All Stars Programme for children and young people with special educational needs. This has resulted in our pupils being provided with access to weekly lunchtime and after school multi-sports clubs and a weekly football tournament led by Leicester City coaches.

   

  During 2018/19, Aimee organised for our students took part in a range of additional sports and PE activities, including: dance performances at The Curve and Loughborough Town Hall; and a 10 week programme of BMX sessions.

   

  Aimee always goes the extra mile to promote the benefits of physical activity and sport with our students, and so it is wonderful to see her hard work recognised in this way. 

• Loughborough Santa Fun Run

  Mon 02 Dec 2019
  Thank you to the 22 strong team of pupils, staff and their families who ran or walked the 5km route around Loughborough on Sunday 1st December 2019. This was the ninth consecutive year that Ashmount has taken part in the Loughborough Santa Fun Run. All participants were presented with a medal on the finish line. Over 1,000 Santas turned out this year to raise money for some very worthwhile causes. 

• Ashmount shortlisted in Leicester Mercury Education Awards 2019

  Fri 29 Nov 2019

  We are delighted to announce that Ashmount has been shortlisted for the 'Healthy School' award in this year's Leicester Mercury Education Awards 2019. 

   

  The shortlisting is in recognition of the school's commitment to promoting sports, physical education and swimming opportunities for our pupils.

   

  In July 2019, the school was awarded the Youth Sports Trust Gold Award, and the School Games Gold Mark for the fourth year in a row.

   

  The winners and finalists of the awards will be announced at a presentation event due to be held at the King Power Stadium in December 2019. 

• Harry Potter comes to Ashmount

  Thu 28 Nov 2019

  This month, teachers and support staff at Ashmount School worked their magic to transform the school into Hogwarts’ School of Witchcraft and Wizardry for a two day Harry Potter- themed festival.

   

  On arrival at school, pupils made their way through Platform 9 ¾ to the sounds of a live orchestra playing music from the films, before posing for a photo alongside a life-sized replica of the Hogwarts Express, complete with authentic railway sounds and smoke.

   

  Other life-sized replicas featured around the school included a dragon suspended from the foyer ceiling and a replica of Hagrid’s famous motor bike, specially adapted for access by wheel-chair users.

   

  We opened our doors to pupils and staff from six special schools and a range of mainstream schools from across Leicester, Leicestershire and Derbyshire who were all invited to experience the sights and sounds of the popular series of books written by J. K. Rowling.

   

  Trainee teachers from our Initial Teacher Training programme joined in the fun to learn how to plan and deliver whole school events.

   

  All fifteen of our classes transformed their classrooms into scenes from the popular books and films, ranging from Gringott’s Bank to Professor’s Sprout’s Herbology Class.

   

  Our pupils were given the opportunity to experience owls flying in the school hall and treated to performances from the Leicestershire-based Bamboozle Theatre Company. Other highlights included a reptile handling and mini-beast experience provided by ‘Meet the Beasts’, an interactive hands-on science experience inside a mobile dome, an up-close and fully interactive potions lab and bubble show, and a Wizard Maths Workshop led by staff from Loughborough company 3M.

   

  All of the staff, students and volunteers dressed as characters from the books and films for the two day festival, which culminated in an after school fancy dress disco for pupils and their families.  

   

  Headteacher David Deacon said, ‘We were delighted with how well all of our staff, pupils and their families engaged with the Harry Potter theme. The props and scenery created by our staff team and volunteers were absolutely incredible and really helped to get everyone into the spirit of the festival.’

   

  Deputy Headteacher Abi Steady said, ‘With the help of countless volunteers within school and many generous donations from local companies we were able to create a truly magical experience for our amazing young people. At Ashmount we are passionate about making the seemingly impossible possible and this is another shining example of how the Ashmount team committed to giving whatever it takes to bring a dream to life.’ 

• Charity walk with a difference

  Thu 28 Nov 2019

  In October 2019, Alex Kowal (age 37), the uncle of one of our pupils completed a 20 mile charity walk across Leicestershire with a difference.

   

  Alex said, ‘My nephew was diagnosed as autistic at the age of 3. When the family was told, we were upset and wondered what we could do to help him. Ever since my nephew has attended Ashmount Special School in Loughborough, he has been a completely different child. He is more open and there is a smile on his face every time I see him.’

   

  ‘To thank his school and to raise awareness of autism, I decided to set myself the challenge of walking 20 miles from my home in Wigston to Ashmount School in Loughborough without the aid of many of my senses.’

   

  Alex was blindfolded and wore ear defenders muffling out all background sounds, and was unable to speak for the whole duration of the walk.

  Alex said, ‘Some people with autism can have sensitive senses that can cause them to have an outburst, so I wanted to have my sight and hearing taken away and refrained from talking throughout the walk.’

   

  Family and friends were allocated one mile legs of the journey each in relay and guided Alex by linking arms with him and using body sign language to communicate with him.

   

  Alex had been made aware of the start and finish points of the route but was not told of the route or which volunteers were helping him at any particular time.

   

  Alex completed his journey in 8 hours and 45mins, a full 2 hours ahead of the expected time.

   

  Ashmount Headteacher David Deacon said, ‘We are incredibly proud of Alex for setting himself such an ambitious challenge and for completing it in such a good time. We would like to thank Alex and all of the friends and family members who supported him on his journey. The funds raised will make a huge difference to the pupils who attend Ashmount School and will allow the National Autistic Society to provide specialist autism services to an even wider group of autistic people, parents, carers and professionals.’

   

  The funds raised by the Alex will be shared equally between Ashmount Special School and the National Autistic Society. To date, Alex has raised almost £1,000 from the walk.

   

  (Pictured is Alex Kowal in front of Ashmount School)

  

• Ashmount School highlighted for best practice in the Parliamentary Review

  Fri 20 Sep 2019

  We are delighted to announce that Ashmount School has been recognised for best practice in The Parliamentary Review    Co-chaired by Lord Pickles and Lord Blunkett, The Parliamentary Review is an indispensable guide to best practice across a variety of different areas, showcasing various examples from steadfast organisations in the public and private sectors. Its principal aim is to raise standards within said industries by producing a template for future reform, and the September release of the publication is acknowledged for its importance in the political calendar.   Success for educators across the nation does not always come easily, and this year's edition of The Parliamentary Review is indispensable for anyone who seeks to make a name for themselves in education. It highlights significant successes, developments and concerns for school leaders up and down the country.   The co-chairman of The Parliamentary Review, Lord Pickles, has praised the upcoming Review as one of the most comprehensive yet. He commented that as Britain undergoes changes, it is “essential that politicians have a firm understanding of the challenges with which British organisations must contend” and that The  Review once again provides a perfect platform for this.   Writing in The Review, Lord Blunkett says “that the education service continues to deliver for individuals, communities and of course for our nation.”   The best practice article for Ashmount School can be viewed here:   https://www.theparliamentaryreview.co.uk/organisations/ashmount-school  Headteacher David Deacon said, "We are delighted to be involved in this year's  Parliamentary Review and we hope our story is read widely and has a positive influence on the education of children with special educational needs."

• Jeans for Genes Day – Friday 20th September 2019

  Fri 20 Sep 2019

  We are pleased to announced that this year’s Jeans for Genes Day raised almost £160.

   

  On Friday 20^th September, students, staff and visitors to our school were invited to wear their jeans for the day in support of the annual fundraising campaign for Genetic Disorders UK, the national charity that supports individuals and families affected by a genetic disorder.

   

  Monies raised on Jeans for Genes Day fund the work of the charity and provide grants to organisations for projects that aim to transform the lives of children with genetic disorders.

   

  Many thanks to everyone who made a donation. 

• Nut-free school

  Wed 28 Aug 2019

  Several pupils and staff attending the school this year have severe nut allergies. Their anaphylaxis (allergic reaction) can occur as a result of digestion, inhalation or any other contact with nut-based products. For their safety, all nut-based products have been banned from the school premises.

   

  Please do not send your child into school with any nut-based product for a snack or packed lunch.

   

  Potential allergens could include the following:

   

  • Spreads, e.g. chocolate spread
  • Cereal bars
  • Some types of biscuit containing nuts
  • Condiments, e.g. satay sauce
  • Cakes containing nuts
  • Some snack pots containing nuts

   

  It is important that you check the labelling of food products before sending your child in to school with them – it is not always apparent that products contain nuts or traces of nuts.

   

  We also ask that, if your child consumes any nut-based product before school, they wash their hands thoroughly before entering the school grounds. We understand that these measures may seem extreme; however, we want to ensure the health and safety of all our pupils and staff, and the individuals in question’s allergies are so severe that even the slightest of contact with nuts could cause a severe and potentially life-threatening reaction.

   

  Thank you in advance for your cooperation with this matter. 

   

• Message from our Chair of Governors

  Fri 12 Jul 2019

  What a great term it's been for Ashmount, bringing to an end a very successful year!

   

  Governors have been kept on their toes trying to attend all the celebratory events, both in school and elsewhere, featuring the successes of our pupils. We've had Sports Days, various school and class outings, Fete days, Charity football matches, and then awards such as the Platinum Arts Mark, as well as articles in the Parliamentary Review.  It's seemed non-stop this term—and many, many congratulations to all who participated in, or organised these events and awards, both pupils and staff, plus parents and volunteers. Thank you everyone, most sincerely, for all your help in making our school such a vibrant, ever-achieving place. The Ashmount school ‘family’ would not be so successful and varied a community, without the combined input of all our supporters, in whatever capacity.

   

  Even when people give up official positions, we still see them returning in a voluntary capacity to assist in things like the Friends of Ashmount fete - and I'd love to know how we managed to have enough boiling sunshine to melt the chocolate raffle prizes, before the downpours began again in the wet section of this summer! Sometimes, we have to rely on luck!

   

  Governors would like to wish all our leavers the very best for their futures, wherever they are progressing to in the Autumn—but before that I hope that they, and all of you, have a restful (and sunny) holiday, and come back in September to do it all again with even more success, results and opportunities for all our pupils.

   

  Jean Lewis

   

  Chair of Governors